What did you like about Chiayi? I don’t believe it has anything to offer that Tainan doesn’t. Both are rather small cities, but Tainan has a lot more culture (although it also has way more tourists).
Tainan is a great option if you plan to scooter, but otherwise I’d recommend Kaohsiung which has a very convenient public transit network. It’s got the conveniences of a large city but with a small town vibe. The people are laid-back, and life is generally slower paced. It’s also a great base for day trips down to Pingtung and Taitung where most of Taiwan’s best nature can be found. Not to mention there are probably more jobs in Kaohsiung, being a larger city than the two above.
If you decide on Kaohsiung, I’d recommend the historic districts on the west side of the river. They are slower-paced areas with traditional Taiwanese street food vendors everywhere, not to mention some hiking and beaches. There are also a few bars frequented by Westerners. I don’t know about Judo, but there is a traditional Kendo dojo in a colonial-era Japanese building. The Pier 2 “Art District” is also in that neighborhood, which offers some dining, entertainment, and flea markets on the weekends. Down the road there is a laid-back fishing harbor neighborhood which also has a ferry to Cijin Island which has more of a seaside village vibe.
I think Kaohsiung and Tainan are your best choices.
The only slight downside for both is that they don’t have the super quick access to the mountains that Taipei does. But you have the best access to the Hengchun pennisula’s beaches and National Park. Air pollution is also an issue in these cities.
There are many places to study/practice Judo and guzheng in Kaoshiung. Just google/google maps for 柔道 and 古箏. I’m sure Tainan is the same.
Chiayi is a bit of an acquired taste. If you want to consider a secondary city in the south, Pingtung City has a lot going for it. Easy access to big city stuff in Kaohsiung and a bit closer to the mountains.
But if you are new to Taiwan, Kaohsiung and Tainan will be a lot easier to make a start professionally, academically, socially, and practically (housing, food, transit etc).
Good post, though I am unsure how the “transit” thing works for Tainan. TRA and HSR of course are available to travel elsewhere, but within the city one would really need self transport of some kind . . .
Absolutely. A scooter is probably inevitable in either Tainan or Kaohsiung. 1,886 of Taiwan’s 3,023 traffic accident deaths in 2023 were scooter/motorcycle riders. 202 were in Tainan while 222 were in Kaohsiung. Taipei City, which is about the same size, had just 46. Riding a scooter is dangerous in Kaohsiung and even more dangerous in Tainan.
That said, they are fun, cheap, and incredibly convenient.
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to get around Taipei is by bicycle. It might be worth trying down south too. You want to find small back streets and lanes and stay off the monster roads.
As for culture, Tainan no doubt wins but Kaohsiung comes in strong because it has benefited from DPP administration for decades now. The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts is impressive and just one example.
Both cities have excellent National Universities.
My understanding is that there is plenty of gay life and places to watch rugby/football.
I think you would find gay life and rugby/football less accessible at first in secondary cities like Pingtung and Chiayi. Although you would probably find both eventually. Also a lot less cultural life. Again there is some.
I have lived in Taipei, Xinbei, Taoyuan, Miaoli, Taichung and Kaohsiung.
If one is looking for work or socialising with other foreigners Taipei area is the best, or at least Hsinchu up. Below that pay and opportunities usually drop dramatically.
Xindian was good for MRT access to city and only an hour drive to very nice snorkelling and hiking on the North coast . Surprisingly closer to beaches than Kaoshiung.
Wife was happy enough in Taoyuan , which does have some decent spots that I’m fond of (the riverside ), younger population and has improved a lot but I didn’t much like it overall Bad noisy drivers , poorly laid out center , lacks public transport If you travel internationally often it’s a great location though . Zhongli is a nicer city than Taoyuan city.
Kaohsiung is a very well laid out city with decent Publix transport now and good cycling Lovely harbour area with frequent activities and markets. Very easy to live there, cheap rents decent housing. Plenty of shops and coffeeshops. But it is a bit ‘quiet’ for a big city in terms of nightlife and social activities for foreigners. Weather is very good but can have fairly bad air pollution in Winter. Being close to Pingdong and Taitung is good , but we haven’t gone to down to Hengchun as much as I expected because it’s 2 hrs away.
Taichung wasn’t that different to Kaohsiung with many nice districts, in fact some of the best urban areas in Taiwan although much worse public transportation , but it is has a very significant advantage of being able to zip up north or south easily. And closer to Taoyuan airport . It’s also close to excellent hiking and very green areas of Taiwan(the South is much drier less lush less insect life) and less options for hiking.
Overall Taichung was probably the one I would recommend as well same as above poster. It’s more an up and coming city . Kaohsiung is more a tourist destination but probably older population in general.
Only big one I haven’t lived in is Tainan. Quite a busy dense city , some nice cultural stuff and huge science park there, but lacks public transport and cycling is poor. Kaohsiung beats the hell out of Tainan in terms of how it’s laid out for pleasant walking and cycling.
